Chapter 19
Edward Roebuck was furious that he had to testify in this trial but he was even more furious at his idiot cousin for not covering his tracks better. But he knew his uncle’s fury would be even worse if the truth came out. Edward was led into the courtroom and caught the hard stare of his Uncle Beaumont sitting with his fellow Wizengamot members. He did not inform his uncle of the summons nor did he respond to his angry owl after Jeremy’s testimony revealed he would be called. He knew what Uncle Beaumont would say and he knew what he needed to do, he didn’t need to hear it from him. Edward knew he had no choice but to lie and hope the Mudblood’s attorney wasn’t as good as the Prophet was claiming.
Edith knew that Edward Roebuck’s testimony pointed more to the wrong doing and corruption of the Wizengamot than to Hermione’s innocence but she also knew it was important. The war may be over but the work to rebuild wizard Britain and make it better is only in its infancy. And maybe this would could help in a small way.
Roebuck was walked to witness seat and though he did not outwardly scowl at her, his harsh eyes said enough, he was not happy to be here. And that was good because unlike Ron Weasley, Edith didn’t know that he would control his emotions if she pushed.
“Auror Roebuck,” Edith started, “can you tell us where you were during the Battle of Hogwarts?” Whatever question Edward expected it was not that and Edith was inwardly glad to see the shock in his eyes.
“I was ordered to protect the Wizengamot chamber and those members that were at the ministry.”
“Under whose orders?” He squinted at her, clearly not thrilled with this line of questioning.
“Under Yaxley’s orders. He was the Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the time.”
“You mean under Voldermort’s regime?” He did not verbally answer but nodded.
“Other Aurors defied Yaxley’s orders, did they not? And went to Hogwarts to help defend it. I believe your partner, Franklin Hodgekins did.”
“Yes, some did. But I did believe protecting our Wizengamot members was very important and I took my position seriously.”
“All the members of the Wizengamot? Or just your uncle Charles Beaumont? The uncle who has financed your life style since your graduation from Hogwarts?
“Of course, I wanted to protect my uncle,” he responded hotly, “He is my mother’s brother.”
“And a Voldemort sympathizer?”
Before Edward could respond, a voice called from the Wizengamot but it’s not Beaumont, “Minister, who is on trial here? The Wizengamot or Ms. Granger?”
“Ms. Cumberland, I suggest you move on from this line of questioning.” The Minister said but the damage was done and that’s all Edith wanted.
“Of course, sir. I shall move on.” She smiled at Edward and asked her next question, “You have cousins who are Aurors around the world, is that correct?”
“Yes.” Edward replied, not offering any more information.
“If I am not wrong, besides Jeremy Plante in Australia, there is Theodore Roebuck in Bulgaria, Danielle Cummings in Toyko and Hank Roebuck in Los Angeles. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“In August 1997, after the fall of the Ministry to Voldemort, did you send letters to your cousins ordering them to keep a look out for certain British Muggles who may be hiding in their countries?”
Roebuck’s shock was hard to hide and he couldn’t answer so Edith continued, “Then provided them with a list of 10 Muggle families, in order of importance. And promised them that your mother’s brother would reward them handsomely if these Muggles were found and handed over to you?” Roebuck remained silent but hushed whispers from the gallery could be heard. “And where David and Jean Granger on the top of that list with the highest reward?”
Roebuck looked like a cornered animal; rage, fear and embarrassment swam in his eyes. He gripped his chair, fighting his body which wanted to jump from his seat and lunge at the solicitor. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rage.
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
Edith pulled a parchment from her pocket, “So this letter that was sent to Hank Roebuck in Los Angeles was not sent from you?”
“Must be a forgery.” He spat at her.
“Ms. Cumberland,” the Minister said, “May the members please see that parchment? How did you get this?”
Edith walked to Shacklebolt and handed him the parchment. “It arrived via owl to my office yesterday evening. Along with this additional note,” she pulled out an additional piece of parchment.
“Ms. Cumberland,” she read, “Once I heard of this trial, I knew I could not stay silent. My cousin, Edward Roebuck, sent me this letter encouraging me to search for these Muggle families in Los Angeles and throughout wizarding America. The promise was of money from his uncle and good standing when Voldemort won the war. I did not, nor did my cousins in Bulgaria or Tokyo, look for these innocent Muggles as we took oaths as Aurors that we actually believe in. I hope the original letter I received, enclosed here, will help in your defense of Ms. Granger. And I can only assume Edward will claim the letter is a forgery but he added a family spell to the parchment so only someone with Roebuck blood could open it, the remnants of that spell should still be tracible. Good luck to you and know that your American Allies are grateful and proud of your victory over evil.”
The room fell silent, “Minister, I can call a spell tracer to give evidence regarding the familial spell Hank Roebuck referenced?”
The Minister eyed the Wizengamot members and then said, “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“So, Mr. Roebuck,” Edith continued, “Would you like to revise your previous answer?”
Edward knew the conditions had changed and as a Slytherin, self-preservation is paramount. “My uncle, in the hopes of getting into the Dark Lord’s good graces without formally becoming a Death Eater, told me to reach out to my cousins and push them to help us find the high profile Muggles the Dark Lord wanted.”
Gasps and chatter were heard in the gallery and the Minister had to quite them before Edith could continue.
“And where did your Uncle get this list of names?”
For the first time since taking the stand, Edward looked nervous, “I believe he paid Yaxley for the list.”
“And who was on the top of that list, Auror Roebuck?”
“David and Jean Granger, the defendant’s parents.”
“Did Charles Beaumont put the Grangers at the top of the list?”
“No,” Edward answered quickly, seeing a way to ease the trouble he’s caused his uncle, “Yaxley said they were the most important Muggles to catch due to their daughter’s relationship with Potter.”
“Now,” Edith shifted, “The war is over, Voldemort and his Death Eaters defeated. Why would your cousin in Australia still reach out to you?”
Edward groaned, knowing he can’t avoid the answer, “My uncle was enraged that Potter, Granger and Weasley would not share the details of where they were from August 97 to May 98. I heard that the Minister was going to help Granger return her parents from Australia and asked Jeremy to look into it. When he found out about the illegal spell, he thought and I agreed that it would please my uncle. Which it did.”
“Thank you, Edward.” And Edith returned to her seat. Hermione had tears in her eyes and gave her solicitor a small smile.
The Minister announced that the Wizengamot would take a recess and if they had follow up questions for the witness it would be after the recess.
Edward chanced a look at his Uncle whose face was furious but also panicked. Then the current Head Auror Monroe appeared in front of him. “Roebuck, come with me and clean out your locker and desk. You are terminated.” Edward couldn’t argue, “Yes sir.”
Faye and Percy approached Edith and Hermione’s table and patted her boss on the back, “Amazing Edith, that questioning was masterful.”
“Thanks Faye,” Edith responded quietly, not wanting people to see how pleased she was.
“Well, Faye, you deserve credit as well,” Percy said, “You found out about Plante’s relation to Roebuck.” Faye smiled brightly.
“Thanks, Percy. Maybe you can take me out to dinner in a way of congratulations?”
Percy sputtered while Edith and Hermione smirked, “Uh, yes, Faye, I think we should do that.”
“Great! Once Hermione’s trial is over of course, there is still work to be done.” She kissed Percy on the cheek and she turned for the door, “I’ll check in at the office.”
Percy stood there like he’d been hit with a bludger. Ron approached and smacked his brother on his back having seen the pretty legal assistant kiss his cheek. “You ok, Perc?”
Percy snapped out of it and turned to his brother, his proper demeanor returned, “Of course, Ronald. Edith, I will head back to my office as well.”
Ron smiled, “Will wonders ever cease? A bird that attractive interested in Percy?”